Queensland's Labor Opposition has received a boost with its representation in Parliament increasing by one, while the Newman government was left licking its wounds after a staggering loss in the Stafford by-election.

Maxillofacial surgeon Anthony Lynham romped to victory on Saturday night with a massive swing to Labor that will have wide ramifications for the Liberal National Party government.

With all booths reporting back on Saturday night, Labor had achieved a swing of 18.6 per cent – more than the 17.2 per cent it achieved in the Scott Driscoll-dominated Redcliffe by-election in February.

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LNP candidate Bob Andersen and Premier Campbell Newman remained upbeat as they addressed the party faithful at Wilston Grange Australian Football Club.

The Premier laid the blame for the LNP's defeat firmly at the feet of his former assistant health minister Chris Davis, whose resignation triggered the by-election.

Dr Davis resigned after a public falling out with the Newman government over doctors' contracts and changes to electoral donation laws.

"Clearly, the attacks on the government by the former member were a factor in this election as well – it did us no favours and did Bob's campaign no favours," Mr Newman said.

"But I do absolutely understand there are people unhappy with this government – our government – and I just say this evening we know they're unhappy because we've had to make many unpopular and strong decisions.

"So this evening I say to those people we've heard you, we understand how you feel and I pledge this evening to continue to work hard – in fact, we will redouble our efforts – to improve this state and to take it forward to a bright future."

Jubilant Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk told supporters at the Brothers Leagues Club – just a few hundred metres from the LNP function – that while the "Driscoll factor" had won the Redcliffe by-election for Labor, the "Campbell Newman factor" had seen it win Stafford.

"This is about Campbell Newman not listening to Stafford," she said.

Dr Lynham said he was proud, humble and thankful to be elected to Parliament.

"Today, we have sent Campbell Newman a very strong message," he said.

"It's a clear message that our community deserves to be heard, a clear message that it's not OK to cut services and sack workers that we rely on every day."

The defeated LNP candidate put on a brave face, despite the massive swing his party had just suffered.

"There's no gilding the lily," Mr Andersen said.

"We have had a huge swing against us tonight, but nevertheless we should reflect on what we have achieved.

"In a very short time, we put together a credible campaign and we've done so fighting against not just the Labor Party, but union third-party campaigns and also the damage that was done to us by the former member."

The Greens' vote was also up 0.6 per cent to 11.9 per cent, but with Labor candidate attracting 50.4 per cent of the primary vote, their preferences would not be needed to see the ALP increase its representation in Parliament from eight to nine.

The two-party preferred swing to Labor was 18.6 per cent, with Dr Lynham leading Mr Andersen 61.5 per cent to 38.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

If such a swing was replicated across Queensland at next year's state election, the LNP would lose 46 seats – and government.

The LNP also suffered a significant swing in February's Redcliffe by-election, which saw former federal MP Yvette D'Ath swept into office with a 17.2 swing away from the Newman government.

While the stench of disgraced former LNP MP Scott Driscoll aided that result, the Driscoll factor could not be blamed for the party's poor showing in Stafford.

231 comments

Delusional Dictator. I love how he has heard us, somehow I doubt it as you are still blaming. Hearing would be accepting you did wrong not crowing it is Dr Chris Davis' fault or you had to do what you did. I look forward to my next vote to again put you last as it will be a miracle if you can actually see past your arrogance. Bob you were set up to fail although inexperienced enough to fall for it, I hope it does not set your life down a bad track, consider strongly your way forward.

Commenter

Jamie Stacy

Date and time

July 19, 2014, 8:51PM

Thank god! I did not think the great unwashed would see thru the lies of the LNP and the Courier Mail as much as this! The LNP lies at both a state and fed level is at last starting to show. Now all we need is for the State ALP to start fighting the lies about the state debt that Costello and Newman have used to sack 14,000 people, throw the elderly out of retirement homes etc, etc. After we get rid of this lot we can concentrate on the federal LNP liars. Thank you Tony Fitzgerald for once more pointing this state in the right direction! Thank you voters of Stafford for seeing thru the lies and untruths of the Murdoch press.

Commenter

Pollyho

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 1:18AM

Now ALP. If you can manage to get this to be repeated in a state wide swing in March, the first thing you should do is have an inquiry into the State's finances. This should be done by qualified people like Dr John Quiggin, and Dr McGovern. If you put a Labor Party person on the inquiry you need rocks inyoutr head!

Commenter

Pollyho

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 1:36AM

Didn't Newman say he was going to listen to the public more after the last by-election? clearly he didn't.

Commenter

Noodlebat

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 7:51AM

He said he heard the people of Queensland after eth Redcliffe by-election, obviously he didn't. He said some people had spoken out, 18% is more then some!!! He said he has heard, but has he, as he hasn't been listening for the last two years. And it is someone elses fault they lost the by-election, not his. Arrogant. Compared to the Redcliffe by-election, where the candidate was on the nose, this is a significant indication of the LNP's performance. How much was influenced by the Federal Coalition, and what they have lied about the last 10 months? Did more people vote in this by-election then the 2012 election? If Newman stands in his electorate (assuming the back bench still can't find its collective backbone), what percentage could (being fair) he lose by? Will businesses now start to throw money at the Labor party, to 'cover their bases'?

Commenter

wdawes

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 8:22AM

Now ALP. If you can manage to get this to be repeated in a state wide swing in March, the first thing you should do is have an inquiry into the State's finances. This should be done by qualified people like Dr John Quiggin, and Dr McGovern. If you put a Labor Party person on the inquiry you need rocks inyoutr head!

Commenter

Pollyho

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 8:50AM

It's Labor's fault, It's Chris Davis's fault, the only one he hasn't blamed is the bloke who looks back at him in the mirror every morning.

Commenter

Scotty

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 8:53AM

Agreed Jamie. I'm stunned that the LNP continue to blame everyone else except themselves. A little humility never goes astray. EVERYONE makes mistakes, but it takes a mature person to admit to them. Thank you, Stafford. However, if you wanted to send the LNP Government a message, then I'm sorry - because they haven't heard you. The message that I hear is, "Queensland, this is your fault! The LNP has got it tough trying to implement our idealistic measures, and we will never listen to ANY person who disagrees with us. We are right, and everyone else is wrong. You are all to blame."

Commenter

Thank you people of Stafford

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 9:18AM

It's amusing how since the election it's been "my" Government now contending with blame being attributed personally it's become "our" Government. Glory in victory is mine but defeat is ours.

Commenter

fred

Date and time

July 20, 2014, 9:20AM

Denial yes. Sounds remarkably like a certain Russian president I heard Newman criticising only yesterday...